So I put on a shul wide talent show almost yearly with live band. So we had a younger Rabbi that planned it with me. He plays Rock guitar. When he joined the band he had on a t-shirt and tight leather pants. He did a great job playing and performing. The younger sect loved it also. It was one of the first times I really realized that heh, Rabbis are people too… Plus he has one of the best intellectual minds out there. The rock g-d was like his alter ego.
LOL ?
I have no problem with the Rabbi being comfortable, and if this were the 15 year old me, I would be all for jeans and t-shirts! Our confirmation class gave my Rabbi all sorts of grief as we were told we had to dress in synagogue attire, and not our jeans or sports jersey prior to heading to our BBYO events on Sundays for the day. Our argument was we could study and learn just as well in jeans as dress clothing.
While he is not the Rabbi my family joined the synagogue for, we have grown to like him. My guess is he caters to the younger families, which truly are the ones you want to please. As I only attend service for high holidays and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, maybe this is the Rabbi the young families prefer. It just took me aback when I saw a t-shirt and not at least a polo shirt, although I would prefer a dress shirt. I will have to check in next weekend on Friday evening and Saturday morning to see what he wears! Actually I guess I also get to check him out Tuesday for Minyan.
I don’t think anyone thinks it’s wrong to dress appropriately for an event. You don’t wear a tie (usually) to play in a rock band.
But dressing professionally for the core function of your job is expected IMO. Services have a certain gravitas that should be respected IMO.
Did you ever find out what it says? Perhaps you may better understand (not necessarily approve) if you knew what it says.
@ucbalumnus Not only is my Hebrew rusty, or should I say extinct, even if I remember Hebrew, the video was mirror image, so no go on reading it!!
I’d like a few opinions on how much to pay teenagers for weeding our yard. We are not at the house as we are waiting out the virus in FL, but found out that weeds were taking over the yard. Our housekeeper’s kids spent most of today working on it and are going back tomorrow to finish. What’s a good hourly rate?
How old are the kids? How hard did they work? What are local employers who hire teens, like grocery store baggers, paying in your area?
I’ve never met the kids but I think they’re both in high school. The weeds were really bad based on the pictures so I’m sure it isn’t an easy task. I spend almost all my time in FL so I have no idea what teens can make around town. The house is in NJ.
How many kids are involved? Can’t you check out “want ads” for that area’s newspaper to get a sense of how much folks are making? Do you have friends in the area who might know what teens earn in the area?
How much do you want to help your housekeeper?
I see the minimum wage is New Jersey is $11 so you could do that. Or you could consider paying a lump sum for the job over the two days, say $100 and a couple of gift cards.
I’d say $15 per hour minimum. Weeding is not fun.
Well I would do it by age and hours worked. If young kids and the house keeper was keeping them busy then that could be one thing. If adults needing work that could be something else.
But if my housekeepers kids (we don’t have ours anymore for years… So sad), I would probably give more. Hopefully they are spraying the yard with something so they don’t return also. This could be a bonus thing you pay them for.
My 18 years old kid is making $13/hour at a store but she works 20 hours per week. Weeding is hard and it’s a one time thing, I wouldn’t pay them minimum wages, I would pay at least $15/hour per kid assuming their output is of a typical teenager. If they were pre-teen or less then i think you can pay them a little less (bc their work rate is probably minimal).
I don’t know the ages and don’t want to ask. I am almost never at this house so hired a cleaning group to come every couple of weeks when my husband is there. The woman who owns the little cleaning service offered that her kids were home with nothing to do so I thought that was the easiest way to solve the problem. I’m just grateful that someone is taking care of it since our yard man hasn’t answered our messages and I’m certain he would charge top dollar.
I agree that it’s hard work and want to pay appropriately. I was thinking $20/hour for sure and wondered if that was enough. I have no personal connection to the kids and only a business relationship with the mother. I just want to be fair to them.
@GRITS80, why don’t you ask the mother. If you feel her response is too low, then you can boost the rate or add a ‘tip’. Would you consider having them provide this as an ongoing service? If so, how would that factor into your compensation (one time vs ongoing fees)?
When we hire our nieces for a job around the house we pay a flat rate for a completed job.
I think it’s a win-win in our situation.
I would also ask for a photo of the completed job with fewer weeds, so you can see before and after.
$15/hr sounds reasonable, especially if they do a good job.
I would pay more and not less, even if the mom says don’t worry about it.
If they are there for two “solid days” that’s quite a lot of weeding, and could add up to quite a bit of money, if you can afford it. Generosity never hurts.
I am much more generous now than I was when I was younger, now that we can afford it.
@1214mom, I totally agree and that’s really why I was asking what is reasonable so I can somewhat exceed it. I was thinking $20/hour but not sure if that is considered generous, or just appropriate.
Another vote for a flat rate. That is the usual way that lawn services are paid with negotiation and agreement before work begins.